Abstract
Excess adiposity has been shown to play a crucial role in the development of the metabolic syndrome. The elevated fasting and postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoprotein levels is the central lipid abnormality observed in the metabolic syndrome. Recent studies have indicated that diacylglycerol (DAG) is effective for fasting and postprandial hyperlipidemia and preventing excess adiposity by increasing postprandial energy expenditure. We will here discuss the mechanisms of DAG-mediated improvements in hyperlipidemia and in postprandial energy expenditure, and effects of DAG oil on lipid/glucose metabolism and on body fat. Further, the therapeutic application of DAG for the metabolic syndrome will be considered.
Highlights
Visceral fat accumulation has been shown to play a crucial role in the development of the metabolic syndrome, which is highly atherogenic
Insulin resistance resulting from obesity decreases lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, and a reduced LPL activity leads to the decreased clearance of fasting and postprandial TG-rich lipoproteins and to the decreased production of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) [1]
The elevated level of fasting and postprandial TG-rich lipoproteins is the typical lipid abnormality observed in the metabolic syndrome [1]
Summary
Visceral fat accumulation has been shown to play a crucial role in the development of the metabolic syndrome, which is highly atherogenic. Dietary TAG oil is hydrolyzed by lipase to free fatty acids (FFA) and 2-monoacylglycerol in the small intestinal lumen, and these are absorbed by intestinal cells (Fig. 2). In our study with diabetic patients, DAG loading significantly suppressed increases in postprandial serum TG, RLP-C and RLP-TG levels as compared with TAG loading [17]. DGAT, diacylglycerol acyltransferase; FFA, free fatty acids; 2-MAG, 2-monoacylglycerol; MGAT, monoacylglycerol acyltransferase; MTP, microsomal triglyceride transfer protein; TAG, triacylglycerol. Apolipoprotein C-II deficiency, DAG ingestion suppressed increase in serum TG, VLDL-C, and RLP-C levels compared with TAG ingestion, suggesting that DAG can decrease TG-rich lipoprotein, independent of LPL. DGAT, diacylglycerol acyltransferase; FFA, free fatty acids; 1(3)-MAG, 1-monoacylglycerol or 3-monoacylglycerol; MGAT, monoacylglycerol acyltransferase; MTP, microsomal triglyceride transfer protein; TAG, triacylglycerol. We should observe the safety of a chronic consumption of DAG carefully
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